Monday, June 3, 2013

The Summer List

Summer vacation is almost here, and every year I think of all the fun we're going to have until school sneaks back in. But if I'm not careful, the weeks slip away, leaving me wondering, Did we do anything I wanted to do? Or was this summer a complete waste?

Enter the summer list.

Before the kids get off the bus one last time, I jot down all the things I want to do while they're home. When I get stuck past the basics, I do a quick Internet search of fun things to do in my area. You'd be amazed how many blogs out there give terrific suggestions for local events.

Here is a sample of my summer list:

- Go to the beach as often as possible
- Go to a local city pool
- Batting cages with my son
- Tennis courts with my daughter
- Library summer reading program
- Frisbee golf
- See Monsters Inc. University in theatres (our theatre offers $5 tickets before noon on weekdays!)
- Go to a nearby park to dig up fossils
- Take a few of my son's baseball buddies to a Mud Hen's game
- Explore the local parks we haven't checked out yet
- Hike in forest
- Ride our bikes on local bike trail
- The zoo
- Truck back up to Michigan for The Henry Ford
- The botanical gardens
- Thrift shopping
- Art museum

The first two weeks of break are always tough. It's like speeding at ninety miles an hour then slamming on the brakes in three seconds. I've learned we do best when we keep busy the first weeks. Easing into the summer routine makes life better for everyone in our family!

Another thing I plan--plenty of ice cream and popsicles in the freezer. Summer and ice cream are conjoined twins, and I save money by buying in bulk. :)

We have a loose schedule all summer. I get up early to enjoy my coffee and write. The kids and I fend for ourselves for lunch. A few afternoons a week we check things off our list. It's good!

I have SEVERAL lists. Does that count? I have a crafts and activities list for my blog plus a places list with my MOPS group... oh, and a list of places that I'd love to go with my husband if the stars aligned and I had money and a babysitter at the same time.

Okay, I want to be one of your kids. How fun are you?!?! I could hardly get past your list when I read the one about digging up fossils. That I so cool I can hardly sit still now. Where's my shovel? :) For me, I preparing for two big summer speaking events and writing my second book (due Oct. 1st). It's going to be a busy, yet INCREDIBLE summer. :)

Aw, sounds so fun. I really miss having summers off. I totally took them for granted!!

This summer will be filled with work and travel. I just got back from visiting my grandma, and in three weeks head to Minnesota for a writing retreat with friends! Then in August I'm headed to San Diego with my hubby for a week at the beach. Then of course in Sept (after summer, but it's still hot as heck here, so...), it's to Indiana for ACFW! :)

My list looks an awful lot like yours! We have a pretty loose schedule too, and our first couple of weeks are spent catching up on the house things I let fly while we're in the homeschool trenches. Once the house is summer cleaned and the outside is weeded and planted, we're ready to tackle our list of fun!!

Jill Kemerer is a multi-published author of inspirational romance novels. Her essentials include coffee, fluffy animals, a stack of books and taking long
nature walks. Jill resides in Ohio with her husband and two almost-grown
children. She loves connecting with readers, so please visit her website, jillkemerer.com, and sign up for her newsletter.

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"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."